Anura Karunathilake has been appointed as the new Minister of Energy and was sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (20).
The ceremony was attended by Secretary to the President Nandika Kumanayake, according to the President’s Media Division.
Karunathilake assumes the portfolio following the resignation of former Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody on April 17.
Jayakody, along with Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala, stepped down to facilitate an impartial investigation by a Special Presidential Commission probing alleged irregularities in coal imports and electricity generation.
The Commission was appointed by President Dissanayake to examine whether any illegal activities occurred in coal procurement processes.
In his resignation letter, Jayakody stated that remaining in office during the investigation could hinder its independence, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability.
